Right to school evaluation in private schools?

[Anonymous]

I know my child is legally entitled to an evaluation at our request for learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc. But what do I do if we're in a private school that doesn't have this kind of staff? Are we still entitled to the testing? Does our school handle it, or do I go through the public school system?

Would love any insights or help others can offer. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

MCPS has an office that handles the testing for kids in private and parochial schools.

[Anonymous]

We were told to get private testing

[Anonymous]

Yes, your local public school should provide it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has an office that handles the testing for kids in private and parochial schools.

That sounds perfect! Do you know what it's called or how I can contact them??

[Anonymous]

In DC, it's the PRO office: http://dcps.dc.gov/page/determining-if-private-and-religious-school-students-need-special-education

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has an office that handles the testing for kids in private and parochial schools.

That sounds perfect! Do you know what it's called or how I can contact them??

The website is down but if you google private school and MCPS it will come up. I called them last week and they were nice. Our public school for two years lied and told me there was no way to do an IEP, so we didn't do one. Someone finally told me about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has an office that handles the testing for kids in private and parochial schools.

That sounds perfect! Do you know what it's called or how I can contact them??

The website is down but if you google private school and MCPS it will come up. I called them last week and they were nice. Our public school for two years lied and told me there was no way to do an IEP, so we didn't do one. Someone finally told me about it.

Your public school is right that kids in private schools don't have IEP's, but they do have testing and service plans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS has an office that handles the testing for kids in private and parochial schools.

That sounds perfect! Do you know what it's called or how I can contact them??

The website is down but if you google private school and MCPS it will come up. I called them last week and they were nice. Our public school for two years lied and told me there was no way to do an IEP, so we didn't do one. Someone finally told me about it.

Your public school is right that kids in private schools don't have IEP's, but they do have testing and service plans.

I was just told last week when I called them he was entitled to an IEP and they could have provided services. What ever you want to call it, they should have told me and/or provided us with information on how to get my child into school at age 5/missing the cut off by a few weeks given his delays. I called numerous times and spoke to several people and all said there are no options, which wasn't true. That private school office immediately emailed me the paperwork and was very nice.

[Anonymous]

You are not entitled to an IEP in private school. The public school will test your child and if they determine he qualifies for services, will offer you an IEP, which is available if you pull him out of private school and enroll him in public. If you decline, he *may* qualify for a service plan which would be very limited services for which you would have to arrange logistics (transportation to and from the public school for the services during the school day).

[Anonymous]

To be clear, I'm not looking for an IEP, only for the evaluation. Thanks, all.

[Anonymous]

If you call and tell them you suspect that your child has a disability, they must evaluate the child to determine if s/he is eligible for services. A child in public can get an IEP. A child in private can get a Service Plan. I have my child in private with a Service Plan. He is currently receiving speech therapy provided through the county (MCPS).

However, private school students aren't entitled to much so don't hold your breath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To be clear, I'm not looking for an IEP, only for the evaluation. Thanks, all.

An evaluation from the school system will only tell you if he has a disability that, in their mind, interferes with his ability to access the curriculum. It won't tell you if he has a minor issue that he is able to compensate for or would otherwise benefit from services/therapy/intervention.

A private evaluation will be more thorough but, of course, more expensive.